Chapter 186: Ch186: Best of Three

Lolita let out a quiet sigh, her cheerful expression giving way to disappointment. "Fine. Someday we’ll settle our score," she said before turning away.

Marco gave a small nod with a faint smile before turning around.

The young shamans returned to the training grounds and began packing their belongings.

At the same time, two new groups of young shamans from another town arrived in Raven Town, ready to begin their own training.

"I never thought I’d say this, but... I’m going to miss you a lot," Queena whispered as she stood beside Daniel.

Daniel smirked. "Why worry? Our paths will cross again," he said, giving her ass a passionate squeeze from behind, hidden from everyone else’s view.

Queena’s eyes widened. She bit her lower lip, gaze settling on him as warmth spread through her whole body.

Marco and the two masters of the other elements greeted each other with broad smiles, laughing together like old brothers reunited after years apart.

Behind them stood their students, their numbers noticeably greater than Marco’s group .

Daniel’s eyes swept across the unfamiliar students before shifting to the three masters, quietly observing the situation.

"Marco, you know we aren’t here just to exchange greetings," the master wearing a brown tunic said with a grin.

Marco narrowed his eyes. "What are you planning, Beck?"

"I want to see how your students measure up," Beck replied, his gaze sweeping over Marco’s students one by one.

"Ugh... not again. He does this every time," the man in the blue tunic said with a helpless sigh.

Marco paused and glanced back over his shoulder at his students, considering Beck’s proposal.

"I’m just saying, it’d be beneficial for both sides. Sparring against real opponents will sharpen their combat abilities, far better than endlessly practicing against dummies. You should do the same, Denver," Beck said, his tone confident.

"That’s foolishness. Before they spar against one another, young shamans must master their forms until it become a second nature to them.

Otherwise, it’ll be nothing more than a one-sided beating," Denver said, his expression stern.

"Heh, that’s a convenient excuse," Beck said with a chuckle. "Maybe you’re just afraid my students will embarrass yours."

"Marco, you don’t have to listen to Beck. He’s just—"

Before Denver could finish, Marco turned to Beck."You do have more students than I do. It wouldn’t be a fair match."

Beck glanced back over his shoulder at his students before returning his gaze to Marco. "Then how about this? You bring your best three, and I’ll bring my best three, and we’ll settle it with a best-of-three."

"Deal?"

"Deal."

Denver let out a weary sigh and placed a palm against his forehead. "These two never change."

The young shamans of the Water element stepped aside and settled near the benches. Some sat beneath the shade of the trees, while others spread out around the training grounds to watch.

Marco named Zushio, Bernard, and Daniel as his representatives.

From Beck’s side, Pietro, Natasha, and Ronick answered the challenge.

"Listen, my students. Even though this is a friendly spar, don’t take it lightly. Take it seriously," Marco said, his tone firm, his eyes sweeping across every one of them. "Remember what I taught you, and don’t worry about injuries. You’ll be given healing potions afterward, so fight with everything you’ve got."

A surge of excitement coursed through Daniel as he listened to Marco’s words.

Beck folded his arms across his chest. "Understood?" he asked, his tone calm but commanding.

"Yes, Master," Pietro replied, his voice filled with confidence.

Natasha smirked. "We’ll handle them. Ronick, you can sit this one out if you want."

"Whatever," Ronick muttered, shaking his head. "Just don’t get in my way."

Both masters stepped forward with their students and shook hands, wishing each other a good match before the spar began.

They then moved to opposite sides of the training field, leaving the center clear.

"Zushio. Do your best," Marco said.

Zushio gave a firm nod, gripped his staff, and stepped forward.

"Pietro. Go," Beck said.

Pietro nodded, took up his staff, and walked to the center of the field.

All eyes turned to the two contestants.

Pietro walked forward with a calm, confident expression, while Zushio couldn’t help but feel slightly nervous under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

"Start!" Beck shouted.

The moment the match began, both contestants sprang into action.

Whether they used their staffs for physical combat, relied on their elemental powers, or combined both approaches, it didn’t matter.

Only the result mattered.

Pietro was slightly taller than Zushio, but Zushio had noticeably more muscle.

The instant their staffs were about to collide, a small stone suddenly rose beneath Zushio’s foot, causing him to lose his balance and stumble forward.

*Thwack!*

"Agh!" Zushio cried out as Pietro’s staff came crashing down onto his left shoulder.

Pietro smiled, his tone calm. "Yield."

But at that very moment, Zushio unleashed his First Form of Lightning.

*ZzZap!*

The bolt struck Pietro square in the chest, forcing him back five steps.

The crowd erupted in cheers, the sudden exchange drawing excited shouts before the spectators settled down to watch the battle unfold.

Daniel observed the fight in silence. Then his gaze drifted toward Beck’s remaining students.

There, he spotted Ronick sitting calmly on the ground with his legs crossed, casually chewing on a white apple as though the match held little interest for him.

*Clack-Clack-Clack! Clack!*

The two exchanged blows as they circled each other.

"You’re not too bad, actually. I hope you can entertain me for a few more minutes," Pietro said with a smug smile, as though victory was already his.

Zushio extended his staff, its tip pointing straight at Pietro. "Don’t celebrate too early. The match has only just begun."

*THUD!*

’Heh... you shouldn’t let your guard down,’ Pietro thought as he rushed forward, swinging his staff in a horizontal strike.

The moment Zushio raised his hand, two stones shot up from the ground at blinding speed.

*THWACK! THWACK!*

One struck his wrist, while the other slammed into his ulnar nerve(funny bone), sending a sharp jolt of pain through his arm.

His fingers went numb for a brief moment — just long enough for Pietro to seize the opportunity — and his staff slipped from his grasp.

"Oh, shit!" Zushio blurted.